I put a few influences together to make something else: Connaught vintage chestnut on the MH71. Size 11.5. Clear wax natural sole (for a change); two tone dark/mid brown stains on the outside of the sole... a little less fun than the kermit but still rather attractive. Check it out. J

I put a few influences together to make something else: Connaught vintage chestnut on the MH71. Size 11.5. Clear wax natural sole (for a change); two tone dark/mid brown stains on the outside of the sole... a little less fun than the kermit but still rather attractive. Check it out. J

these are nice i am not such a fan of the loafer but i do like the color and antiquing on them

I pray the austerity brogue will be relegated to the dust bin of passing fashion like button boots and handgun prohibitions

But the TG73 last looks awesome and the patina finish on this is quite interesting

Now if I can only convince Tony and Dean to do some "fading" antiquing on a black shoe of mine to see if they can rival the likes of Fosters and Corthay

Good choice Jamaican...on the last and patina

Face it brother, with selections like this...there is no reason to go bespoke...especially if you sample Cleverley's semi-bespoke and give Clifford Roberts at least one try

Mike... I really like austerity brogues... think they are a bit rarer and slightly more formal looking than their punched brethren... I suppose you feel the way about austerity brogue as the way I feel about Winston Churchill Lazyman shoes. The diversity that is the spice of life. To be honest, when I first opened the box and saw them it was love at first sight. The other G&G shoe I can say that about is my grain finish Cannes. (The others took time to grow on me.) Actually what am I saying? You are a Lazyman nut and I just like the austerity brogue... I mean I don't have like nine pairs of them.

This is the MH71 last not the TG73. I wanted to switch things up a little from the Rothschild I got last year. The MH71 is my favourite last and I must agree with you that in many respects there is no need for a bespoke adventure just yet. I think there are another eight to ten shoes form the MTO range of G&G that I'd like plus a zillion Edward Green shoes. There are a few bespoke shoes that I think I will get in due course though.

On antique black finish , I did ask Dean to do this for me once and he declined. I think it is a matter of how much time it will take to do. Perhaps if you email him and offer to compensate for the time required for the fading he might oblige.

I actually tried on some Cleverley semi-bespoke shoes in November last year. They were very comfortable, I noted a smaller heel than the G&Gs I was wearing on the day. They just didn't look as good though.

As for Mr Roberts offerings, I am not ready to go that route as yet. I will wait for some comparisons with EGs and G&Gs by the far more learned than I. J